LWML.org Daily Mustard Seed Devotions

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/23/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/23/2012 From LWML

Joy in sharing the Gospel

In the Word

"Come and see," said Philip.
John 1:46b

Of the Word

"Mommy, Mommy, come and see!" All mommies—and daddies, too—have dropped whatever they were doing to share the excitement of that moment. Whether it was a fuzzy caterpillar, the first fish caught, or a sunny yellow dandelion, the event had to be shared. When Jesus found Philip, He said, "Follow Me." Philip was so impressed by Jesus that he told Nathanael, "He's the One we've been waiting for!" When Nathanael was unimpressed, Philip simply said, "Come and see." (John 1:43-46) He could have debated, might have argued, but he simply extended the invitation. Today we may apply Philip's words in two ways. First of all, what people have invited us to "Come and see"? Did Jesus use them to bring us closer to Him? Secondly, to whom can we lovingly say, "Come and see"? We are the tools the Master uses, just as He used Philip.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for the people who have touched my life in positive ways. Thank You especially for those whose invitations and examples have helped me in my walk with You. Please help me to lovingly, boldly say, "Come and see." Use me, Lord, to show Your love and spread Your joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 24/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P. O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141. www.lwml.org

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/22/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/22/2012 From LWML

Joy in God's Many Spiritual Blessings

In the Word

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose … If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:28, 31b

Of the Word

Have you had days when everything went wrong, when it seemed that the weight of the world was on your shoulders? Occasionally, everyone has those days. Then it's time to hear God's comforting words.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:3-4).

We were chosen! God chose us before creation. He redeemed us on Calvary. And today the Holy Spirit calls us to faith and gives us daily strength.

Bad days come and go, but If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31b)? Even the weight of the world is nothing compared to the power of our loving God.

Walking with my Lord

Dear God, forgive me when I am weak and full of doubts. Help me to remember that You chose me, redeemed me, and sanctified me. Give me the joy of living for You today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 23/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P. O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141. www.lwml.org

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/21/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/21/2012 From LWML

Joy in God's unbroken promises

In the Word

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
Psalm 145:13b

Of the Word

"I will. Yes, sir. Tomorrow I will get it done." "Yes, Johnny, I will read to you just as soon as I finish this." "Yes, Doctor, I'll start exercising tomorrow." Everyone has made promises such as these only to break them. God makes promises too, but He always keeps them. When Noah and his family left the ark, God spread His rainbow across the sky, a reminder of His everlasting covenant. (Genesis 9:12-16) He promised to be with Moses and the Israelites as they fled from Egypt. The pillars of cloud and fire were constant reminders of His presence. (Exodus 13 and 14)

Knowing that He has kept His promises in the past assures us that His promises are just as certain today. With the psalmist we can say, For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe … (Psalm 27:5a). And God's best promise of all is this: Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10b). As we see God's promises unfold before us, we can look forward and say with faith-filled hearts, "The best is yet to come."

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting Your promises. Help me to remember that You are faithful and always keep Your promises. I look forward to being with You in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 22/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P. O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141. www.lwml.org

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/20/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/20/2012 From LWML

One True God

In the Word

I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
Psalm 138:1

Of the Word

King David, the author of Psalm 138, lived when people worshiped many false gods. They worshiped inanimate objects, elements of nature, and even other rulers who claimed to be gods. David did not claim to be a god. Rather, in this psalm he states boldly that he will praise and worship the one true God.

But what about the "gods" that creep into our own lives – the things we become involved with that push God out of the way? Anything that regularly takes the place of spending daily time with God in prayer and Bible reading or keeps us from worshipping and receiving the Lord's Supper becomes our "god." False gods can come disguised as our career, gambling, sports, shopping, drugs, appearances. The list is endless, but the sacrifice is the same. By focusing on them we give up the close relationship the triune God wants with us.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Jesus, help me to put all other "gods" out of my life so my praise is for You alone. I know that nothing can give me the peace and joy that come from You alone. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/19/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/19/2012 From LWML

Grief Hurts

In the Word

Let your constant love comfort me, as you have promised …
Psalm 119:76a (GNT)

Of the Word

Life and death go hand in hand. Our heads know that, yet when death comes to someone dear to us we are brokenhearted. In one way or another, we know that life will be different. A place in the heart is filled with emptiness. The voice that once brought happiness is silent. Our tears just don't stop and loneliness becomes a new companion. Grief hurts.

The world tells us time heals all wounds. In reality time heals nothing because it is not a healer. It is how the Spirit leads us through that time that will make a difference in how we heal. Find someone to talk with who will listen. Allow the tears to flow. After all, God gave us the ability to cry. True healing will come from God. He will lead us from the darkest hours into hope and peace. He is … the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles … (2 Corinthians 1:3b-4a).

Be assured God is listening for He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

Walking with my Lord

Holy Spirit, help me to find the way out of my grief. Help me to feel the love and comfort You have to offer. Fill me with hope. Thank You, Lord, that I can cling to the promise that Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to give us eternal life. In His precious name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 23/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141. www.lwml.org Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/18/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/18/2012 From LWML

God is in Control

In the Word

"Be still, and know that I am God …"
Psalm 46:10a

Of the Word

Anyone who has children in their lives has probably uttered "Be still!" on more than one occasion for any number of reasons. You may even know "antsy" adults you would like to tell to "Be still!"

In Psalm 46, God is telling His children to, "Be still. Enough already, stop spinning your wheels," He admonishes us. God wants us to realize that He is the One in control. No amount of worrying, fretting, or concern on our part can change anything. In fact, God views those reactions as distrust.

God is telling us, "Be still. Turn it over to Me. I know your concerns; they are My concerns, too. What you care about, I care about. Trust Me. Believe in Me. Be still. I can handle it." God instructs us to bring whatever is troubling us to Him in prayer, and then His Spirit helps us to be still as we await His answer.

Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1).

"Be still my soul; the Lord is on your side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to your God to order and provide; In ev'ry change He faithful will remain."

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, help me always to put my trust in You. Send Your Holy Spirit to calm my soul. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 22/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141. www.lwml.org "Be Still, My Soul" words by Catharina von Schlegel, translated by Jane Borthwick, tune by Jean Sibelius. Text – public domain.

Mustard Seed Devotion for 5/17/2012

webmaster@lwml.org (Devotions) — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:00 -0600

Devotions for 5/17/2012 From LWML

Faith is … the Confidence We Have in God's Safety Net

In the Word

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Of the Word

A construction company in charge of building a bridge across a rather large body of water discovered that by putting a net below the men working on the steel girders of the bridge, the efficiency and attitude of the workers rose dramatically. Knowing that the net was below them gave the men confidence and a sense of security.

The suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ have the same effect on us spiritually. By shedding His blood on the cross and suffering its pain and torment, Jesus paid in full the penalty for all our sins.

The knowledge of our forgiveness in Christ gives us peace. Unless we allow them to do so, sickness, sorrow, trouble, pain, or even death cannot destroy the peace and confidence that comes from God.

Peace in our hearts, confidence to face any situation in life, and a sure hope of eternal life in heaven are the "net" results of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. In a real way then, the cross of Jesus is our safety net!

Walking with my Lord

O Loving Father, may the cross of Christ calm my fears and give me peace and hope all the days of my life here on earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.